Airlines
Etihad’s Gateway to Paradise: Nonstop Flights to French Riviera and Greek Isles
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has unveiled its exciting Summer 24 schedule, highlighting its aspirational expansion goals.
The new nonstop flights to Nice, a destination on the French Riviera, and the direct services to the popular Greek vacation destinations of Mykonos and Santorini are among the highlights of the network changes, which are currently on sale.
Because passengers have been enjoying Etihad’s new flights to Copenhagen so much, the destination is now available all year round. The schedule adds more frequencies to the network, enhancing connectivity to places like Ahmedabad, Athens, Bangkok, and Colombo.
Highlights of the improved schedule include:
- Athens, Greece, sees an increase to 12 flights a week from May and 14 from July.
- Recently launched Copenhagen, Denmark is made a year-round destination.
- Malaga, Spain will enjoy a three-weekly service for Summer 2024.
- Mykonos, Greece will be served by two flights per week during the summer, with Santorini, Greece also getting two weekly flights.
- Nice, France will be served by two non-stop weekly services from June 2024.
- Bangkok, Thailand will benefit from three more flights a week from February to 17 a week.
- Colombo, Sri Lanka enjoys a frequency increase to 10 weekly flights from January rising to 14 from May, and an adjusted schedule for even better connectivity to European destinations.
In addition to the new summer schedules, other destinations for 2024 have already been revealed, such as Boston in North America, Nairobi in East Africa, and Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram on the Indian Subcontinent.
Etihad has reaffirmed its resolve to add multiple new destinations over the course of the upcoming year as part of its ongoing commitment to expanding its network.
Destinations Change Total Frequency Start Date Colombo +3 per week 10 per week January 15, 2024 +4 per week 14 per week May 1, 2024 Bangkok +3 per week 17 per week February 22, 2024 Copenhagen Extended year-round 4 per week March 31, 2024 Athens +5 per week 12 per week May 1, 2024 +2 per week 14 per week July 15, 2024 Malaga Summer 24 service 3 per week June 2, 2024 Santorini New route 2 per week June 15, 2024 Nice New route 2 per week June 15, 2024 Mykonos Summer 24 service 2 per week June 17, 2024 Already announced Kozhikode New route 7 per week January 1, 2024 Thiruvananthapuram New route 7 per week January 1, 2024 Boston New route 4 per week March 31, 2024 Nairobi New route 7 per week May 1, 2024
Airlines
Qantas Announces Major In-Flight Menu Upgrade for Domestic Travel
Qantas, Australia’s national carrier, is set to revolutionize its in-flight dining experience with a significant menu transformation.
In response to customer feedback and to elevate the onboard culinary journey, Qantas has decided to bid adieu to lighter snack options and welcome a range of delectable hot foods on domestic flights lasting more than two hours.
Passengers can anticipate an array of tantalizing dishes featuring premium local ingredients sourced from Australian producers. From gourmet brekkie burgers to cauliflower bites and Mediterranean pizza, the new menu offerings promise to tantalize taste buds and provide a delightful culinary journey at 30,000 feet.
Among the exciting additions are scrambled egg brioche with tomato relish, ciabatta roll with Portuguese chicken and mango lime jam, and artisanal beef sausage rolls, all of which will be gradually introduced in the upcoming weeks.
But the enhancements don’t stop there. Qantas is extending its onboard tea and coffee service into afternoon flights until 4 pm, ensuring passengers stay refreshed throughout their journey.
For those with a sweet tooth, Weis ice cream bars will be a welcome addition on flights lasting over three and a half hours, such as the Sydney to Perth route.
Vegetarian options are also available, with offerings like Sunny Queen carrot and pumpkin fritters, cauliflower bites, or a mouthwatering Mediterranean pizza.
Phil Capps, Qantas’ executive manager of product and service, expressed the airline’s commitment to continuously improving the passenger experience. He emphasized that these hot menu items are crafted using the finest Australian ingredients, reflecting Qantas’ dedication to supporting local producers and offering passengers an elevated dining experience.
Airlines
Transair Boeing 737 catches fire, Runway Skid Leaves 10 people Injured
In a harrowing incident at an airport in Dakar, Senegal, Boeing 737 operated by Air Senegal’s Transair skidded off the runway just before takeoff, leaving 10 individuals injured.
The event unfolded late Wednesday, with 85 passengers onboard, bound for Mali. Passengers onboard the flight captured the terrifying moments and shared videos on social media, revealing flames engulfing one side of the plane and the distressing sounds of evacuation.
Transair Senegal Boeing 737-300 (6V-AJE, built 1994) was seriously damaged when it overran the landing runway at Dakar-Intl Airport(GOBD), Senegal. The left wing and engine caught fire but all 73 passengers were able to evacuate alive. There was unspecified number of injuries.… pic.twitter.com/SysgTSL3b8— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) May 9, 2024
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact count of passengers and injuries, with authorities indicating 78 passengers onboard and 11 wounded, while the transport ministry reported 79 passengers and 10 injuries, including one of the pilots.
Despite the confusion, swift action from the crew allowed for the deployment of side exit ramps, facilitating the evacuation of passengers as the aircraft began to burn. Authorities swiftly responded, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment while providing shelter to others at a nearby hotel.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, issued a statement expressing readiness to support investigations into the incident. The company referenced Transair for further inquiries, emphasizing their commitment to providing assistance to their customers. Notably, the ill-fated plane had previously experienced a tail issue during takeoff, returning to service a month later.
This incident adds to a string of recent challenges faced by Boeing, including heightened scrutiny following various incidents. In January, an Alaska Airlines flight encountered a mid-flight emergency when a door plug blew out, further amplifying concerns about aircraft safety and maintenance.
As investigations unfold, questions regarding aircraft maintenance, safety protocols, and regulatory oversight are likely to come under increased scrutiny, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring passenger safety in air travel.
Airlines
China to Design second Phase of C919 Aircraft; Cathay Pacific Shows Interest
In a significant move reflecting China’s growing ambitions in the aviation industry, the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is set to expand its production facilities for the indigenous C919 jets in Shanghai.
This expansion comes in response to a surge in orders, signaling a significant milestone for China’s efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market. According to reports from the China Aviation Planning and Design Institute (AVIC-CAPDI), a key contractor involved in the project.
COMAC has embarked on the second phase of the C919 large passenger aircraft batch production capacity construction project. The project, located in Pudong, Shanghai, boasts a substantial total construction area of 330,000 square meters.
The expansion project, as outlined by AVIC-CAPDI, primarily focuses on the construction of crucial infrastructure including an assembly plant, parts warehouse, and tarmac area. Such developments underscore COMAC’s commitment to ramping up manufacturing capabilities to meet the burgeoning demand for the C919 aircraft.
This move comes on the heels of major orders from leading Chinese carriers, including Air China and China Southern Airlines, each placing orders for 100 C919 jets. These substantial orders not only validate the growing confidence but also aim to challenge the dominance of industry giants Airbus and Boeing in the commercial aircraft market.
Despite primarily securing orders from Chinese airlines and aircraft lessors, the C919 has garnered significant traction, accumulating over 1,000 orders to date. Moreover, at the recent Fortune Innovation Forum held in Hong Kong, Ronald Lam, CEO of Cathay Pacific, hinted at the airline’s potential interest in adopting the C919 in the near future.